Lu Tingzhou froze, and the cameraman barely held back a laugh. The live stream exploded:[Hahaha, President Lu's love life is so bumpy!][I thought she was flirty, but she's just naturally oblivious—so cute!][If it were me, I'd melt under that affectionate gaze!]
Unaware of the commotion, Qin Jia kept washing dishes. Later, she asked curiously: "Were you trying to arm-wrestle me earlier?"
Lu Tingzhou stacked dishes neatly: "No." Before he could explain, Rou Rou piped up from his shoulder: "I know the answer!"
Qin Jia tickled its nose: "Go on, then."
Rou Rou wrapped its legs around Lu Tingzhou's neck, coquettishly: "Carry me over first!" Qin Jia picked it up, wiping dust off her clothes: "You little troublemaker. This is a dish sink, not a bathtub—I'll bathe you later."
The koala pretended to think, then announced: "Brother Lu likes you! 85% chance!"
Qin Jia's smile froze. "How do you know?"
"He stared at you the whole time on the first day, ignoring me—how could someone as cute as me not catch his eye? And he sneaked glances at you while you washed dishes!" Rou Rou analyzed seriously. "Logic says a 27-year-old man paying this much attention to a pretty girl means he's interested!"
Qin Jia laughed: "You're a koala—how do you understand human emotions?"
"I'm a smart koala!" Rou Rou pouted.
Qin Jia coaxed: "What about the other 15%? Friends look at each other too."
Rou Rou tilted its head: "That's true! I like Qin Jia too!"
Qin Jia's gaze drifted to Lu Tingzhou, who was wiping the counter. He felt her stare, glanced back quickly, and turned away. "I just didn't want you to think I'm weak," he said softly. "Don't take Rou Rou's words seriously."
"Need help?" Qin Jia asked, carrying Rou Rou.
"No—take it to bathe," he replied.
[Are they avoiding each other after the awkward moment?][Based on dating show rules, they'll make up tonight!][This can't be scripted—Lu Tingzhou deserves an Oscar!]
Qin Jia bathed Rou Rou (it had a built-in dryer) and returned to her room. As she showered, hot water and steam made her think of Lu Tingzhou's flushed face in the pavilion. "Did he blush because he was embarrassed?" she wondered. The system's knowledge told her human boys could be shy around crushes, hiding it but giving away clues with their ears.
Confused, she lay in bed, hoping sleep would bring answers. It didn't—but the afternoon's field walk with Cheng Lele helped her temporarily forget her worries.
Bonfire Party
After dinner, everyone gathered for a bonfire. Qin Jia roasted rice cakes and eggplant, staying quiet while others showed off talents. "What are you good at?" Duan Baihan asked.
"Sleeping and daydreaming," she replied seriously.
Duan Baihan laughed: "Most people would be humble!"
Xu Wen chimed in: "Some people are all-rounders—they just don't realize it!" He handed her a ukulele. "Can you play?"
Qin Jia admitted she knew a little (the original owner had learned it). She played "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" flawlessly, with Duan Baihan, Cheng Lele, and Qin Mo humming along.
When the song ended, Qin Jia avoided Duan Baihan's request for an encore, letting Qin Mo take over. She looked down at her shadow, then up—directly into Lu Tingzhou's eyes. The firelight accentuated his handsome features, and she felt an urge to get closer, but reason stopped her. She quickly looked away, peeling an orange.
Next was a tarot game. "Ask any question—love, work, health," Xu Wen said.
Lu Tingzhou glanced at Qin Jia: "My work fortune for the next few months. I'm going on a long overseas business trip." He chose number 8.
"Knight of Pentacles upright—steady progress will bring good results," Xu Wen smiled.
Then it was Qin Jia's turn. She hesitated, then said: "If I stick to my current choice, will it lead to a good outcome?" She chose 32.
"The Wheel of Fortune upright—you'll be lucky! Seize the opportunity," Xu Wen announced.
The Next Day: Departure
Before leaving, everyone took a souvenir. Qin Jia kept the Wheel of Fortune tarot card; Qin Mo chose an hourglass. In the car, he asked: "Sister, do you like yourself now?"
"Of course," she replied. "What about you?"
He smiled: "Me too." He'd realized everyone had secrets—just like he'd abandoned his CEO life for acting, she had her reasons for choosing this lifestyle.
Qin Mo noticed her staring at a draft message to Lu Tingzhou, typing and deleting. "Did you two fight?" he asked.
"No, but he's been distant today," she frowned. "I don't know why."
He handed her his phone: "Netizens have theories—take a look."
Qin Jia read the comments: everyone thought Lu Tingzhou liked her, that they were a perfect match. She was confused. Having lived in the Misty Forest for centuries, she'd never thought about love. Worse, what if his feelings were just a system setting? He deserved to choose his own true love.
Back in Yucheng: Confrontation
That night, Qin Jia couldn't sleep, reciting the Heart-Cleansing Mantra repeatedly. At dawn, she texted Lu Tingzhou: Are you awake? I need to talk—let's meet.
He replied immediately: I'll come over. What do you want for breakfast?
"Tianji's red bean and coconut buns," she said.
Fifteen minutes later, Qin Jia met him at the courtyard gate. She got into his black Bentley, where soft music played. He handed her the buns: "Eat first, then talk."
The warm, sweet bread calmed her restless heart. After finishing, she sat up straight: "Lu Tingzhou, I have questions—please answer truthfully."
"Go ahead."
"Why were you so distant yesterday? Did I offend you?"
The car fell silent. Qin Jia tensed, but his deep voice reassured her: "My throat hurt from eating barbecue—I'm sorry for worrying you."
She remembered shoving roasted eggplant into his mouth: "Are you better now?"
"Much." He cleared his throat. "Second question?"
Qin Jia relaxed: "Nothing else." If he wasn't angry, her other worries felt unfounded. She yawned: "I'm sleepy—I want to go home."
Lu Tingzhou covered her with his coat as she drifted off. When she woke up five hours later, the car was shaded, and he was reviewing documents. "You could have woken me," she said.
"It's okay—I'm happy to wait," he replied.
Qin Jia took a deep breath: "Second question. Netizens say you joined the show because you're going abroad and wanted to spend time with me—are they right?"
He nodded: "They are."
"Then are you—" She almost said "like me" before he interrupted: "We're still good friends, right? I'm your number one friend?"
She nodded guiltily, remembering the tea room night.
"That's enough," he smiled gently. "You don't need to respond—don't feel burdened."
Qin Jia handed back his coat: "I should go."
"Qin Jia," he called. "I'm flying to Berlin this afternoon. Let's say goodbye."
She hesitated, then grabbed his hand: "You can hug me." It would just take a few more Heart-Cleansing Mantra recitations.
Lu Tingzhou pulled back, adopting a brotherly tone: "You can refuse things you don't want to do. Don't force yourself."
Qin Jia nodded, then looked up expectantly: "You said you like even numbers… can you pat my head again? I liked that."
Lu Tingzhou's ears turned red as he gently ruffled her hair.
"Have a safe trip," she said.
"Thanks."
She walked away quickly, light on her feet. Lu Tingzhou sat in the car, replaying the moment her amber eyes stared into his, her lashes fluttering like butterflies. He wasn't sure if his "retreat to advance" tactic had worked—but he knew one thing: she'd won again.